Celtic complete loan-to-buy deal for Benfica midfielder Paulo Bernardo

Celtic have completed a loan deal for Benfica midfielder Paulo Bernardo.

The 21-year old joins until the end of the season with the Parkhead side holding the option to buy him next summer.

Bernardo has featured 26 times for Benfica's first team and spent the second half of last season on loan at Pacos de Ferreira.

He has also been capped 16 times by Portugal's under-21 side - scoring five times.

Speaking to Celtic TV, Bernardo said: “I’m very excited to be here. It’s a great club and I’m ready to be on the pitch and to help the team.

'Our ambition is to be champions and perform very well in the group stages of the Champions League and go as far as we can.'

Manager Brendan Rodgers added: “Paulo is a young player who come in with the opportunity to give us more strength in depth in that midfield area.

“He’s already gained first-team experience at a top-class club in Benfica, which is something he will bring to Celtic, and we’re looking forward to working with him over the course of this season."

The deal is similar to Jota's Parkhead switch than saw the winger initially move on loan from Benfica.

Jota eventually joined Celtic for a fee of around £6.5million before sealing a big money transfer to Saudi Arabia this summer.

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